Everyone in in Aotearoa New Zealand aged 5 and over can get their free COVID-19 vaccination.

Vaccination is still the most effective tool we have to protect you and your loved ones from COVID-19. It helps protect you from getting the virus, or from getting very sick if you do catch it.

You can get COVID-19 more than once. So even if you've already had it and recovered, it's still important to get the doses you are eligible for. 

• Anyone aged 12 and over is eligible for two doses at least 3 weeks apart.
• Anyone aged 5-11 years old is eligible for two doses at least 8 weeks apart.

Recently, vaccination requirements for children turning 12 years old were updated. If a child turns 12 years old before their second dose, they will receive the adult dose of the COVID-19 vaccination.

An 8-week gap is recommended between the paediatric and adult doses. This change only affects those who turn 12 between receiving their first and second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.  Children under 12 are still only eligible for paediatric doses.

For more information click here

• Anyone aged 18 and over is eligible for a booster dose at least 3 months after their second dose.
• Anyone aged 16 or 17 is eligible for a booster dose at least 6 months after their second dose.
• Anyone who has had COVID-19 before they were vaccinated should wait 3 months after they tested positive before getting their next dose.
• If you are immunocompromised there are different recommendations in place

Vaccinations are available at clinics, GPs and pharmacies throughout our region. Find a clinic that accepts walk-ins or book through Book My Vaccine.

Getting vaccinated after having COVID-19

Catching COVID-19 only gives you short-term immunity against the virus and you can get it again. Getting vaccinated will result in a broader immune response, which is likely to give you better protection against getting COVID-19 again and passing it on.

It's recommended you wait 3 months after testing positive before your next dose to maximise immunity. The recommendation applies to all ages and COVID-19 vaccinations in New Zealand.

Being vaccinated also reduces the chances of you becoming very ill and ending up in the hospital and can help protect you against new variants of COVID-19. Individuals who have been infected but not vaccinated are more likely to be re-infected than those who have had at least 2 doses.

If you are more vulnerable to COVID-19, it might be appropriate to receive your COVID-19 vaccine sooner than 3 months. Talk to your doctor, health provider or Healthline on 0800 358 5453 first.

For more information: Visit the Ministry of Health website. 

Booster vaccinations

Getting your booster will give you and your whānau greater protection from COVID-19, including Omicron.

Rangatahi aged 16 and 17 can get a COVID-19 booster of the Pfizer vaccine if it's been 6 months after completing their primary course. 

Anyone aged 18 or over can get a booster if it’s been three months (93 days) since your second dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

Second COVID-19 Booster

A second booster is recommended for those at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 – a minimum of 6 months after a first booster. 

A second COVID-19 booster is available for:

• everyone over the age of 50 and recommended for anyone over the age of 65
• Māori and Pacific Peoples older than 40 years (from Friday 18 November 2022)
• people who are severely immunocompromised
• residents of aged care and disability care facilities
• health, aged-care and disability workers over the age of 30

Other people recommended to receive a second booster as a priority:

• people aged 16 years and over who have a medical condition that increases the risk of severe breakthrough COVID-19 illness and
• people aged 16 years and over who live with disability with significant or complex health needs or multiple comorbidities.
• See Clinical criteria in support of second booster eligibility
  

Read more here about second boosters on the government website 

How to Book

From Friday 18 November 2022, Māori and Pacific peoples aged 40 to 49 will be eligible for a second booster, to provide additional protection from COVID-19. Read more on the Unite against COVID-19 website.

First and second booster vaccines are available through walk-in and booked appointments at Māori and Pacific providers, pharmacies, general practice and other locations across our region.  Appointments can be booked at BookMyVaccine.nz  or by calling the COVID-19 Vaccination Healthline on 0800 28 29 26.

For maximum immunity, if you’ve had COVID-19, you need to wait 3 months after you tested positive before having a COVID-19 vaccination.

Vaccine facts

It's important to get accurate information about the vaccine. You can find more videos like this one on the Unite Against COVID-19 website.

Side effects

Like all medicines, you might experience some mild side effects in the days after getting your vaccination. This is common, and a sign that your body is learning to fight the virus.

Most side effects do not last long, and will not stop you from having a second dose or going about your daily life. Some side effects may temporarily affect your ability to drive or use machinery.

The most common reported reactions are:

• pain or swelling at the injection site
• feeling tired or fatigued
• headache
• muscle aches
• chills
• joint pain
• fever
• redness at the injection site
• nausea.

Some side effects are more common after the second or booster dose. Side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine are similar in young people to those seen in adults. 

Find out more